| | The Uniting Church in Australia marked its 49th anniversary yesterday, giving thanks for the decades of faithful witness, service and ministry across the country. Since forming on 22 June 1977, the Church has navigated both triumphs and challenges while remaining committed to following and growing in Jesus, sharing God’s love, working for justice and serving communities. In celebrating the anniversary, Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli released a special video message reflecting on the Church’s journey and inviting members to look ahead with hope to its Jubilee year in 2027. Using the illustration of a fala (Tongan mat) woven over many seasons, the President described the Church as a community being woven together by the love of Christ across congregations, agencies, schools, cultures and communities. Acknowledging the pressures facing many congregations and leaders, Rev Suli encouraged the Church to see times of change not as signs of failure but as opportunities to draw closer to Christ, deepen prayer and rediscover the practices that sustain the Church.
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| | | | | As the Uniting Church enters its 50th year, Assembly General Secretary Andrew Johnson invites us to reflect on the words that have shaped our identity and mission. Drawing on landmark statements made over the decades, he shares a consistent thread through our history: a commitment to justice, inclusion, reconciliation, multiculturalism and openness to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Yet Andrew urges for these statements to be more than historical moments; they are promises that demand to be lived. Click here for the full read. |
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| | | | For the first time in more than 15 years, educational leaders, chaplains and board members from Uniting Church schools across Australia gathered last week for Uniting Connections 2026. Hosted by the Synod of Queensland and The Lakes College, the conference strengthened relationships across the national network of schools and renewed connections with the wider Uniting Church. Participants explored how schools can support the flourishing of young people through keynote presentations, research, stories from school leaders and chaplains, and discussions on faith, leadership and wellbeing. Together they reflected on how to nurture wisdom, belonging and hope in a rapidly changing world. Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli delivered the keynote address, affirming the strong partnership between the Church and its schools. Reflecting on the importance of faith-based education in a rapidly changing world, she encouraged participants to see schools as places where young people are formed not only academically, but also in wisdom, belonging and hope. |
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| | | | More than 120 people gathered at Merthyr Road Uniting Church in Brisbane last month for a special combined worship service celebrating Pentecost and the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The service brought together five Christian communities that currently share the church site: Merthyr Road Uniting Church, Pilgrim People Brisbane, Metropolitan Community Church Brisbane, the Hindi-Speaking Christian Fellowship and the Brisbane Quakers, who recently began meeting there while their Kelvin Grove premises undergo redevelopment. Drawing on the worship traditions of each community, the service included scripture readings in Hindi and Kilundi and reflected the wonderful diversity of the congregations. Guest preacher Dr Kate Power, General Secretary of Queensland Churches Together, spoke on the unity of the Church as both Christ’s gift and calling, highlighting how diverse communities are joined as one body through the Spirit’s gifts and shared mission. Pictured above are leaders and representatives of the five participating church communities: Pastor Dr Denise Powell (MCC Brisbane), Abel Siboniyo (Quakers), Adele Nisbet (Pilgrim People Brisbane), Dr Kate Power (Qld Churches Together), Alex Mohan (Hindi-Speaking Christian Fellowship) and Rev David Busch (Uniting Church). |
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| | | | Life on the land has never been easy, and for people like Muriel, years of drought, flood and rising costs have made it tougher still. For those living far from town and services, isolation can quietly take its toll – and even the strongest people can start to feel alone. That’s where Frontier Services’ Bush Chaplains come in. They live and work alongside remote communities, showing up with a listening ear, a helping hand, and the reassurance that someone hasn’t forgotten them. Whether it's a cup of tea on the verandah or a hand with the chores, these small moments of connection can carry people through life’s hardest seasons. Your support helps keep Bush Chaplains on the road – fuelling vehicles, funding satellite phones, and equipping volunteers to reach the people who need them most. And with the financial year drawing to a close, your gift may also be tax deductible. Please consider helping today. |
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| | | | Next week signifies two dark anniversaries in world history: 80 years since the first American nuclear detonation in the Marshall Islands, and 60 years since the first French detonation at Mururoa Atoll in Mā’ohi Nui. To commemorate these milestones, ICAN Australia in conjunction with The Quakers and the Pacific Conference of Churches are hosting the Pacific Peace Pilgrimage, bringing together nuclear-impacted communities to advocate for justice and a decolonised, demilitarised, denuclearised and decarbonised future. Events will be held in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra from 1-3 July. Read more and RSVP here. |
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| | | | This September, Alice Springs will host celebrations marking two significant milestones in the legacy of Rev John Flynn. On 12 September, the Northern Synod, Frontier Services and Alice Springs Town Council will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Adelaide House, the town’s first hospital. The following day marks the 70th anniversary of the opening of the John Flynn Memorial Church. The events will celebrate his enduring contribution to healthcare, faith and the development of remote Australia. All are welcome to attend. |
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| | | Pitt Street Uniting Church is hosting the Decolonising Spirituality Talanoa on 5 July. Speakers include Rev James Bhagwan, General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches. Registrations are still open for the Korean National Conference. The conference will take place from 20-22 July at Belgrave Heights Uniting in Melbourne. A new multi-faith initiative is inviting Australians to confidently reflect their faith, culture and identity in the 2026 Census. UnitingCare Australia has appeared before the Inquiry into the Health Impacts of Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Use, alongside Uniting Vic.Tas and Uniting NSW.ACT, calling for a stronger focus on prevention, early intervention and evidence-based treatment. UK writer Matthew Hall reflects on revealing his Christian faith in a secular creative industry. Anticipating backlash, he instead found curiosity, connection and a renewed confidence to speak openly about his faith and the freedom that came with it. You’re invited to ONE – a cross-cultural, intergenerational gathering celebrating our unity in Christ. Through worship, storytelling, conversation and reflection, explore what it means to live as ONE body, shaped by justice, compassion and reconciliation. Register today!
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| | | June
28 UnitingWorld Sunday
July
5-12 NAIDOC Week
10 Anniversary of the UCA-UAICC Covenant
19 Intercultural Neighbouring Sunday
August 4 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
30 Frontier Services Sunday
Click here for the Uniting Church Assembly 2026 calendar. |
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| | | Join us in prayer for... Gratitude to God for his faithfulness to the Uniting Church in Australia throughout the last 49 years. the Synod of South Australia as it gathers for its 42nd meeting this weekend, elects its next Moderator, and appoints new committee members. Peace to prevail in the many war-torn regions of the world. Malawi and Zambia as part of the WCC Ecumenical Prayer Cycle.
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